Trade Unions say: NO COMPROMISE on WOMEN'S RIGHTS, ZERO TOLERANCE FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

Today in New York, our Trade Union delegation held the first briefing session with over 100 trade union activists; this being the largest labour CSW delegation to date. Women arrived from all over the world to take part in the UNCSW57 from counties such as South Africa, Italy Jamaica, Zimbabwe,UK, US, Belgium and the Arab regions including delegates from across Canada. Jane Hodges, Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Bureau for Gender Equality spoke about critical issues that will be addressed over the next two weeks.

Organizers identified three main areas of focus for delegates in the days ahead including lobbying, reviewing draft statements and developing a communications strategy.

Key messages based on the Trade Union statement that are linked to the priority theme of UNCSW57 "the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls" are;

• Women's universal rights are fundamental human rights. Gender equality should be enshrined in all national constitutions.
• Trade unions have long championed women's rights. With other rival society partners, trade unions have taken a leadership role in identifying the best strategies aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls.
• We are calling on governments or member states to ratify the many related UN declarations conventions and objectives.

In Sisterhood & Solidarity

Julie White, Director of CAW Women's department

Christine Connor, CAW Local 414, President and National Executive Board 

Cheryl Robinson, CAW Local 2002, VP Atlantic region

Kellie Scanlan, CAW Local 414, Communications coordinator

Julie White, Veronique Figliuzzi (CEP), Gisele Pageau (CEP), Kellie Scanlan, Christine Connor,
Cheryl Robinson, Barb Dolan(CEP)